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Irish singer-songwriter Sinéad O'Connor has died at 56.
"It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Sinéad," the singer's family said in a statement reported Wednesday by the BBC and RTE. "Her family and friends are devastated and have requested privacy at this very difficult time."
No cause of death has been revealed at this time.
Sinéad O'Connor has died at the age of 56. (Getty Images)
O'Connor gained fame in the 1990s following the release of her hit cover of the Prince song, "Nothing Compares 2 U." The song was named the No. 1 World Single in 1990 by the Billboard Music Awards, according to the Irish Times.
"Nothing Compares 2 U" received three Grammy nominations and was the featured track off her acclaimed album "I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got," which helped lead Rolling Stone to name her Artist of the Year in 1991. "She proved that a recording artist could refuse to compromise and still connect with millions of listeners hungry for music of substance," the magazine declared.
Shortly after, the singer-songwriter tore up a photo of Pope John Paul II on "Saturday Night Live." However, O'Connor saw the move as putting her career "on the right track."
"I feel that having a No. 1 record derailed my career," O'Connor wrote in her memoir, according to The New York Times, "and my tearing the photo put me back on the right track."
O'Connor was known for her non-conformity. (Getty Images)
She wrote about her rise to fame, saying, "The media was making me out to be crazy because I wasn’t acting like a pop star was supposed to act.
"It seems to me that being a pop star is almost like being in a type of prison. You have to be a good girl."
O'Connor was a lifelong non-conformist — she would say that she shaved her head in response to record executives pressuring her to be conventionally glamorous — but her political and cultural stances and troubled private life often overshadowed her music.
O'Connor is survived by three of her children. Her fourth child, Shane, was found dead in Ireland in January 2022 after she reported him missing to authorities. (Getty Images)
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Celebrities reacted to O'Connor's death on social media.
Janelle Monae shared the quote said by O'Connor when she ripped up the photo of the Pope. "'Fight the real enemy'- Sinead O’Connor," her tweet read.
"I adored this woman from afar as a teenager," Toni Collette wrote on Instagram. "I will always admire her. I was lucky enough to hang out with her a few times in my twenties. On one occasion we all sang in the hills of Wicklow in Eire. I sang a Jane Siberry song and Sinead then asked/encouraged me to sing one of my own. Can you imagine the terror? The intimidation? The thrill?! She was so talented, so generous, humble, resilient, courageous and true. What a voice. What a force. My heart breaks. Rest in real peace Sinead."
Sinead O'Connor continued to release music until 2003, when she announced she was going into retirement. She continued to release music despite the announcement. (Laurence Labat/Sygma via Getty Images)
Melissa Etheridge added: "This is such a tragedy. What a loss. She was haunted all her life. What a talent. I remember my first Grammy show meeting this small shy Irish girl."
Ice T wrote, "Respect to Sinead….. She stood for something… Unlike most people…. Rest Easy.."
Conor McGregor, mixed martial artist from Ireland, also shared a tribute to the musician, writing: "The world has lost an artist with the voice of an Angel. Ireland has lost an iconic voice and one of our absolute finest, by a long shot. And I have lost a friend. Sinead’s music will live on and continue to inspire! Rest In Peace, Sinead you are home with your son I am sure."
O'Connor's political and cultural stances and troubled private life often overshadowed her music. (Getty Images)
O’Connor announced she was retiring from music in 2003, but she continued to record new material. Her most recent album was "I’m Not Bossy, I’m the Boss," released in 2014.
O'Connor is survived by three of her children. Her fourth child, Shane, was found dead in Ireland in January 2022 after the Irish singer-songwriter notified authorities that he had gone missing. Police said the missing person case was closed after a body was found in the eastern coastal town of Bray, about 12 miles south of Dublin.
"The very light of my life, decided to end his earthly struggle today and is now with God," O'Connor wrote on Twitter at the time. "May he rest in peace and may no one follow his example. My baby, I love you so much. Please be at peace."
O’Connor announced she was retiring from music in 2003, but she continued to record new material. (Getty Images)
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The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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